German Messerschmitt Me 410A-1/U4 Heavy Fighter – Oberleutnant Friedrich “Fritz” Stehle, 5./Zerstorergeschwader 26 “Horst Wessel”, Hildesheim, Germany, March 1944 (1:72 Scale)
Hinted at some time ago, Corgi has finally unveiled details concerning their inaugural Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse heavy fighter. Slated for a fall arrival, their first bird is based upon a mount flown by Oberleutnant Friedrich “Fritz” Stehle, who was attached to 5./Zerstorergeschwader 26 “Horst Wessel”, then deployed to Hildesheim, Germany, during March 1944. Priced at just $129.99 and long a heavily requested model, we believe it will do exceptionally well when it reaches the marketplace.
Two other WWII-era warbirds were also announced today, including a USAAF Spitfire Mk. IXc fighter flown by Lt. Robert Connor and a Martin B-26C-45-MO Marauder medium bomber piloted by Lieutenant Leo A Lampman. It appears as if Corgi plans to remain a stalwart actor in the military diecast aircraft space, even as other relative newcomers seem to be sharpening their knives in an effort to carve out a greater share of the overall pie.
- USAAF Martin B-26C-45-MO Marauder Medium Bomber – Lieutenant Leo Lampman, “Miss https://www.themotorpool.net/USAAF-B-26C-45-MO-Bomber-Miss-Arkansas-p/aa29502.htmArkansas”, 444th Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Group, Montesquieu Airfield, Algeria, 1943 (1:72 https://www.themotorpool.net/USAAF-Supermarine-Spitfire-Mk-IXc-Fighter-p/aa29104.htmScale)
- USAAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IXc Fighter – Lieutenant Robert Connor, “Porky II”, 309th Fighter Squadron, North Africa, 1943 (1:72 Scale)
Also up for your consideration is another take on the English Electric Lightning, created in a wonderful if immense 1:48 scale that seems to be quite popular among collectors. Boasting a natural metal exterior finish and all the hallmarks of past Lightning interceptors, this will certainly be a welcome addition to the Aviation Archives series as well as a reminder that Corgi doesn’t fear dabbling in the larger-sized military aircraft market.
RAF English Electric Lightning F.6 Fighter – XR726, No.5 Squadron, RAF Leconfield, England (1:48 Scale)